BubbleStream

Arabella Sheraton

The Wayward Miss Wainwright

Synopsis

Miss Helena Wainwright is determined to see her nieces and nephew well settled with their new guardian, the Duke of Rotherham. After six months of transition, the children are beginning to bond with their uncle, but Helena and the Duke aren’t able to get much past the barest of civilities. Now that the duke is poised to offer for the shy Miss Fanshawe, Helena is horrified to discover an awful secret about the young lady and her scheming mother. What is she going to do--keep the secret or reveal all in her own bid for the duke’s heart?
Ready to settle down and provide a stable environment for his wards, Vernon Wroxby, the Duke of Rotherham, has decided the amenable Miss Fanshawe will do, even if he dislikes her outspoken, uncouth mama. If he could just quit wondering what Miss Wainwright is doing (and with whom) he’d be able to appreciate the match a bit more. But as his wards begin to rebel against the idea of this marriage, and he starts to realize that his affections really reside with Miss Wainwright, will one determined marriage-mart mama ruin any chance he might have for true happiness?

Author Biography

I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. I also love history and generally find the past more fascinating than the future. I have been steeped in Regency writers since I was a teenager. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, I read 'em all! I love writing Regency romances because they are romantic, fun and enable me to create feisty heroines and hunky heroes. I hope you'll enjoy my stories!

Author Insight

Meet the Characters

Characters are the heart of a story, any story, and the clash between individuals creates some interesting storms which they must weather during the course of the book. Rotherham finds Helena wilful and absolutely the most stubborn woman he has ever met. Her opinion of him is also not very flattering. Is it possible they would have anything in common? The Duke's godmother seems to think so...

Book Excerpt

The Wayward Miss Wainwright

“You should marry her and be done with it.”

At her words, Rotherham almost choked on his tea. “What? Nonsense. Impossible. We clashed from the moment we met, and I’m not surprised. Helena Wainwright is a most headstrong woman.”

She wagged her head from side to side. “Whyever not? Helena comes from a good family. After all, your brother married her sister. I don’t think there’s any rule against marrying someone related to an in-law, is there?”

He tried to get a word in edgeways. “That’s not the point—”

She had apparently warmed to the task of enumerating Miss Wainwright’s virtues. “Helena’s a fine looking gel. Good figure, splendid hazel eyes, all that chestnut hair. She’s intelligent and well read, can ride anything on four legs—what else could any man ask for? You could do worse, Rotherham, and you haven’t done very well up to now.”

Rotherham placed his teacup down before he received any further verbal onslaughts to jolt his composure.

“Miss Wainwright is all the things you have described and possibly even more. I have no doubt she will make someone a very happy man. She has many wonderful qualities.” He coughed and slid his finger around the top of his neckcloth. “However, I have no intention of marrying Miss Wainwright, and in fact, I’d have been pleased if she’d found a husband these six months gone already.”

His godmother shot him an arch look. “I don’t know how you can say such a thing when you chase away any potential suitors by glaring at them in that ferocious way of yours.”

His mouth fell open in disbelief, and he hastily snapped it shut. “I assure you, Aunt Mildred, I most certainly do not glare at people.”

She wagged a reproving finger at him, a shrewd gleam in her eyes. “Oh yes, you do. At Lady Summerville’s soirée, that handsome young viscount—I can’t remember his name—tried to get an invitation to Rotherham Park to meet Helena. He’d heard someone sing her praises. You put a spoke firmly in his wheel. Even when Violet asked you to invite him, you refused—most churlishly, in fact. You even said Helena was just the governess.”